Newly minted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should be given the space to consider and decide on the necessity of appointing Muhyiddin Yassin as a minister mentor in his administration.
Even though there have been calls to create such a position for the former prime minister, Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin (above) questioned what sort of duties the role will be responsible for.
"Let us give the prime minister the space, the chance, and the freedom in making this decision. Whether this country needs the position or not, what sort of role will it play?
"Singapore had a minister mentor from among its former prime ministers who had served for a long time and provided stellar service.
"Even so, the minister mentor was appointed with a specific purpose. He was not appointed on a whim to repay a debt or to merely fill a seat," Khaled said, as reported by Utusan Malaysia today.
Back in June last year, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had said he was open to discussing Dr Mahathir Mohamad's position if the latter is willing to be appointed as a senior minister or a position equal to the late Lee Kuan Yew, who had served as a minister mentor for 14 years after he stepped down as the Singaporean prime minister.
At that time, Mahathir had dismissed this suggestion from Anwar.
Last Wednesday, Utusan had also reported that Bersatu supreme council member Eddin Syazlee Shith said it had been suggested for Muhyiddin to be appointed as minister mentor in the new administration if it gets the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan said he is confident Ismail Sabri will make the best decision not only when it comes to forming the cabinet, but also on policies governing the country during such a challenging time.
"What is important now is that the cabinet can continue to move and function well immediately, for the sake of the rakyat.
"As Khaled said, there is no honeymoon period for this administration to face all its challenges ahead," he said.
Meanwhile, Bersatu supreme council member Rosol Wahid said he will comply if his party's top leadership and fellow component parties in the ruling coalition all agree to appoint Muhyiddin as an advisor in the new government.
"I cannot give any further explanation about this matter because it hasn't received any official decision from the party.
"Just that, if it has been agreed by all parties, why not create this position and appoint Muhyiddin?" he said. - Mkini
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